Democracy, Human Rights and Governance

Women voters line up to cast their ballot in the 2008 national elections.

USAID

Promoting good governance and accountability is critical to advancing economic growth, health, education, and the ability to provide high-quality public services. In Bangladesh, USAID strengthens institutions of good governance, promotes human rights, combats trafficking in persons, and seeks to improve labor conditions for Bangladeshi workers.

USAID works with public institutions to reduce corruption, increase transparency of government, and increase accountability. We also help incorporate digital technology to improve efficiency of public services throughout the country, including electronic land titling, birth registration, and university applications.

To increase access to the formal justice system, USAID educates underserved citizens about existing legal aid services and provides training to the justice sector to more efficiently serve the public. We are also committed to addressing human rights violations and reducing the high prevalence of violence against women, sexual harassment, child marriage, and domestic abuse. USAID leads campaigns to prevent human trafficking and trains government officials to better care for survivors and more effectively prosecute the perpetrators.

With the help of international attention and working with the donor community, international buyers, government officials, and labor organizations, USAID supports the formation of democratic labor unions through which workers can advocate for their rights. USAID’s Global Labor Program trains workers on labor laws, provides legal support to labor organizers, and assists workers in organizing and registering new unions. USAID also negotiated two agreements with the Bangladesh government to support workplace safety and labor programs in the fish and shrimp industry. Through a Global Development Alliance, USAID will also train garment factory owners, managers, and workers about safe working practices.

In 2014, USAID programs in Bangladesh

Trained 200 local government institutions to improve their ability to provide basic services and created citizen forums in each of these communities to increase citizen input on local government activities.

Trained 18,000 political party activists from across the political spectrum to increase political parties’ responsiveness and improve internal coordination through party conferences and councils.

Provided technical assistance on labor laws, provided legal support to labor organizers, and assisted workers in organizing and registering 80 new unions.